{"id":4,"date":"2008-02-18T16:04:58","date_gmt":"2008-02-18T22:04:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/registrar.southernarkansasuniversity.info\/graduation\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T08:41:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T13:41:57","slug":"graduation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/registrar\/graduation\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduation Information"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer 2025 Commencement<\/h2>\n

Date and Time<\/h4>\n

SAU’s Summer 2025 Commencement will be held on Friday August 1st at 10:00 a.m. <\/strong>in the W.T. Watson Athletic Center basketball gym. This will be a combined ceremony for ALL undergraduate and graduate candidates. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the SAU Facebook page<\/a> for those unable to attend in person.<\/p>\n

Graduates should arrive for check-in at the Auxiliary Gym at least one hour<\/u> before the ceremony begins. <\/strong>The easiest way to find the check-in area is to go <\/span>in the main entrance to the Watson facility and then follow the posted signs down the side hallway to make your way around to the auxiliary gym.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regalia and Dress Considerations<\/h4>\n

Graduation regalia (caps and gowns, plus hoods for master’s students) will be available to pick up at the SAU Bookstore<\/a> during regular business hours beginning in late July.<\/strong> You can also pick up your regalia at the check-in area in the Auxiliary Gym the day of the ceremony. If you would prefer to receive your regalia by mail, please contact the bookstore at (870) 235-4050 once the pickup period begins<\/strong>. The cost of shipping is $7.50. The cost of regalia is included in your graduation fee, and it will be yours to keep after the ceremony.<\/p>\n

Only University-approved accessories, such as academic cords, stoles, and medallions from within academic disciplines, may be worn over regalia. Decorated caps are not permitted. Graduates will be asked to remove any unauthorized items. There is no dress code for attire beyond your regalia, but we suggest business casual or similar.<\/p>\n

Photography<\/h4>\n

Grisham Photography<\/a> will be taking professional pictures during the ceremony. An envelope included in your regalia bag will provide instructions about purchasing these photographs.\u00a0Photography order envelopes can also be picked up and dropped off at the check-in table before the ceremony, or orders can be made by contacting Grisham Photography directly at (318) 539-3489 or j.grisham@hotmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Diplomas<\/h4>\n

Digital<\/strong> diplomas<\/strong> for all graduates will be available approximately 30 days after the ceremony. You will receive an email and text message from Parchment with a link to claim your digital diploma and confirm your mailing address for your physical diploma.<\/p>\n

Physical<\/strong> diplomas<\/strong> will be printed and mailed via Parchment approximately 60 days after commencement.\u00a0<\/strong>If your address has changed since you applied for graduation, please send your updated address information to registrar@saumag.edu<\/a> to prevent any delay in receiving your diploma.<\/p>\n

How to Apply for Graduation<\/h2>\n

Degree-Seeking Students (Associate’s, Bachelor\u2019s, Master’s, & Doctoral Degrees):<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Please use our step-by-step guide on How to Apply for Graduation<\/a>, or follow the steps as outlined below:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Log in to mySAU<\/a> and click on \u201cCampus Connect\u201d tab in the top menu.<\/li>\n
  2. Acknowledge Student Accounts message.<\/li>\n
  3. Navigate to the \u201cForms\u201d tab (above your student photo) and click \u201cApply for Graduation.\u201d<\/li>\n
  4. Choose term of expected graduation and click \u201cDisplay Form.\u201d<\/li>\n
  5. Complete all required fields, click \u201cContinue Degree Info\u201d to add your degree information, then click \u201cSubmit\u201d to submit form.<\/li>\n
  6. Save email verification of your application for your records. If you do not receive a verification email, please contact us at registrar@saumag.edu<\/a> or 870-235-4031 to confirm your application was received.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  7. Contact your advisor to ensure that they complete a\u00a0degree audit form<\/a> to confirm your eligibility for graduation (undergraduate students only).<\/li>\n
  8. After you apply, you can follow these steps<\/a> to check the status of your application and graduation paperwork via CampusConnect.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Non-Degree Students (Graduate & Undergraduate Certificates):<\/strong><\/h4>\n
      \n
    1. Log in to mySAU<\/a>\u00a0and click on “Campus Connect” tab in the top menu.<\/li>\n
    2. Acknowledge Student Accounts message.<\/li>\n
    3. Navigate to the “Forms” tab (above your student photo) and click “Apply for Graduate Certificate.”<\/li>\n
    4. Choose the expected graduation term and click “Display Form.”<\/li>\n
    5. Complete all required fields, and click “Submit” to submit the form.<\/li>\n
    6. Save email verification of application for your records. If you do not receive a verification email, please contact us at registrar@saumag.edu<\/a> or 870-235-4031 to confirm your application was received.<\/strong><\/li>\n
    7. Please note that graduate certificate recipients do not participate in the commencement ceremony, and there is no graduation fee charged for completing a graduate certificate. Printed graduate certificates will be mailed to recipients approximately 30 to 45 days after end of the term.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Graduation Application Deadlines and Fees<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      The deadlines for graduation applications are as follows:<\/p>\n